News

Rusk: Stakes are high against Spaniards

Simon Rusk knows the importance of getting three points against Valencia this evening in the Premier League International Cup.

By Alex Stedman • 18 December 2019

By Paul Hazlewood
Albion under-23s' coach Simon Rusk.

Albion must win both of their remaining group matches in the competition against the Spanish outfit and then Wolfsburg on 27th January if they are to have a chance of progressing, following a 3-1 defeat to West Ham United in their first Group B game last month. 

Valencia have lost both matches in the competition so far this season - 1-0 to the Hammers and 3-2 to Wolfsburg and therefore cannot progress.  

Rusk said: “It's simple. We know we have to win our remaining two matches in this competition to qualify for the next stage. It doesn’t change our approach, because we try and win every game we play, no matter who the opposition are or whether it’s home or away.

“They will be a talented attacking side and we know we’ll have to be tight defensively, then the challenge is about whether we can have moments of real quality at the other end of the field.”

03:22

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U23 highlights: Albion 1 Arsenal 0

The game will take place at the American Express Elite Performance Centre, kick off 7pm, and Rusk says he and his players are looking forward to a different sort of test to the ones they encounter in Premier League 2. 

“It’s not a task we’re taking lightly, it’s against European opposition and that naturally brings different and unique challenges to the staff, myself and the players,” he continued.

“The two games last year were really good for us and the Bayern Munich side we faced were desperate to win, that was very evident on the night.

“They had fans here and that’s the sort of thing we want - it’s brilliant for the players and the staff. There’s not a massive change in the way teams play, but there is in terms of the intensity of the game."

Christmas cracker at the Amex!